The first time, for Game One of the Eastern Conference Finals against Tampa Bay, was fairly simple – a quick visit over the weekend. The second, for Game Three of the Stanley Cup Finals versus Vancouver, I had to drive 16 hours round-trip by myself and finagle a day off work. But this final trip, for the victory parade, takes the cake: Arranged just 24 hours prior, I had to beg out of a friend’s bridal shower and a volunteer event scheduled for today. I might still get to see my dad on Fathers’ Day.
In general, I’ll take any excuse for a party. When I was a sophomore at Boston University and the Red Sox won the World Series in 2007, I celebrated in Kenmore Square and skipped class for the parade – and I don’t even like baseball! This time, though, it’s different. After spending my final year and a half of school interning with the team and forging friendships that make it impossible not to be a Bruins fan, there was no way I could miss this parade.
Today was one of those days that I can’t believe wasn’t a dream. In fact, that’s how I’ve felt ever since that final buzzer sounded on Wednesday night. I asked my friend that very question when he called and woke me up to celebrate at 2:30 a.m. Thursday morning. It’s once in a lifetime.
My volunteer group understands. My engaged friend is cool with it – she’ll still get her fancy napkins I bought as a gift, and I’ll take her out to dinner to make up for it. My dad gets it, although he couldn’t resist the opportunity to tell me it’s “good to know where he stands in order of importance.”
I guess I thought wrong.
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About the author: Angela Stefano lives in Buffalo, NY but, as a 2009 Boston University grad, has major love for Boston and the Bruins. She tweets at @amstefano988.
